Page 8 - TTWISummer2026

Agriculture
Page 8 Electronic Edition: www .teachingtodaywi .com

Granton’s Agriculture Program Continues to Evolve

misting system in the greenhouse to improve FFA members package Christmas meals for
plant production, accessible raised garden approximately 100 local families and sponsor
beds that make the community garden more gifts for nearly 60 children through the Clark
welcoming for all participants, and hydro- County Christmas Angel Project, mentor
ponic lettuce production that will supply elementary students through the Partners in
fresh produce for the school lunch program. Active Learning Support (PALS) program,
Additionally, a partnership with the Granton donate blankets and pet toys to local organi-
Community Library created a reading trail zations, and host children’s activities during
through the school forest, encouraging fami- community events.
lies to enjoy the outdoors while promoting Several projects have become annual
literacy. traditions that students look forward to each
Students develop a wide range of tech- year. Agriculture students and FFA members
nical skills throughout their agriculture organize a Haunted Forest, deliver thank you
courses. Depending on the class, they may bags to local farmers during harvest season,
learn greenhouse production, hydroponics, and assist with the Granton FFA Alumni Dairy
orchard management, veterinary suturing, Breakfast. These experiences allow students
soil and water testing, food preservation, sur- to connect classroom learning with meaning-
veying, landscaping, forestry
management, agricultural
business, or agricultural
research. Just as impor-
tant, these projects provide
opportunities to practice
communication, teamwork,
Katie Reider, Agriculture Educator and can also take advanced agriculture courses, leadership, problem solving,
FFA Advisor enroll in three science-equivalent courses that and critical thinking.
Granton Area School District satisfy graduation requirements, and earn dual Career exploration is
For students in the Granton Agriculture credit through the local technical college. another important component
of the program. Every high
Program, learning often happens outside the Hands-on learning is at the center of the school agriculture student
traditional classroom. Whether tending hydro- program. Students have access to a variety maintains a Supervised Agri-
ponic lettuce for the school lunch program, of learning spaces, including an 18.5-acre cultural Experience (SAE),
conducting research in the school forest, or school forest, a greenhouse, a hydroponic giving students the oppor-
mentoring elementary students, agriculture growing system, an aquaculture system, an tunity to gain experience
students have opportunities to apply what they orchard with more than 20 apple trees, a com- through entrepreneurship,
are learning through real-world experiences. munity garden with raised beds, flower beds, research, or agricultural
The Granton Agriculture Program serves an outdoor classroom, and a kitchen labora- placement. Some students
students in grades 7–12 and offers 24 agri- tory. These facilities allow students to explore also participate in Youth
culture courses that introduce students to the agriculture in authentic settings while build- Apprenticeships, conduct
many facets of agriculture. Courses include ing practical skills they can use beyond high National FFA AgriScience
animal production, forestry, food science, school. Fair research, manage por-
landscaping, aquaculture, wildlife, agricul- The program continues to evolve as new tions of the greenhouse,
tural affairs, leadership, and more. Students opportunities arise. Recent additions include a orchard, or hydroponic
systems, or work for local
agricultural businesses.
Community partnerships help connect ful service while building relationships within
classroom learning to experiences outside their community.
of school. The agriculture program and FFA Looking ahead, the Granton Agricul-
chapter work with organizations including ture Program plans to continue expanding
the local technical college, the Community hands-on learning opportunities, strengthen-
Green Team, Granton FFA Alumni, the Clark ing partnerships with local businesses and
County Christmas Angel Project, the Ronald organizations, and creating additional career
McDonald House, the Clark County Humane exploration experiences for students. As agri-
Society, local churches, the Granton Fall Fes- culture continues to change, the program will
tival Committee, and elementary classrooms. continue looking for ways to provide rele-
These partnerships provide learning oppor- vant, engaging experiences that help students
tunities for students while also allowing the discover new interests and prepare for future
agriculture program to support the surround- opportunities. While every student’s path
ing community. is different, the goal remains the same: to
Being an affiliated FFA chapter, mem- provide meaningful experiences that help stu-
bership is free to any Granton student who is dents build practical skills, explore careers,
enrolled in an agriculture course for the year. and develop a better understanding of the role
Service learning is incorporated throughout agriculture plays in their communities and
the year for both agriculture students and everyday lives.
FFA members. Students help maintain school
and community gardens, improve landscap-
ing projects, and care for school forest trails. www.granton.k12.wi.us